McCoy's Eastlake was pulled up in the Grade 3 race, but the 19-time champion jockey was in dominant form in the feature race, the Melling Chase, to register his second victory of the meeting, and a third for Elliott.

Wearing the unfamiliar purple and white colours of Gigginstown House Stud, the 40-year-old, who will ride favourite Shutthefrontdoor in his final Grand National on Saturday, took advantage of a poor run by the other joint-favourite, Champagne Fever, to take the honours.

"I got a good ride off him," said McCoy, who replaced the suspended Bryan Cooper in the saddle of Don Cossack. "I owe JP's (McManus) son Kieran a favour as we knew early in the week Uxizandre wouldn't be running."

There was, however, a concern for jockey Wayne Hutchinson, who was aboard Balder Succes and suffered an injury which means he will need to pass a doctor's test before he can ride Godsmejudge in the National.

Irishman Robbie McNamara will definitely miss out though, following a fall at Wexford. He was due to be on board top weight Lord Windermere on Saturday.